About Us
Ryan Tinsley is a lifelong Alaskan who grew up in the trades and has over 35 years of experience in commercial and residential construction (ground to finish) and building maintenance with expertise in extreme climate construction techniques. He’s a problem solver and innovator known for artistic design and aesthetics, functionality, building innovation, and customer satisfaction.
Ryan’s the innovator of the Adaptable building system and some of his other past projects can be seen in an online portfolio. Since 2023, Ryan has been chief visionary officer/building system innovator at Alaska Adaptable Housing. He previously worked as a research technician at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Alaska Campus and as a Building Educator at the Cold Climate Housing Research Center. Ryan’s work has included:
- Consulting with homeowners and contractors on building issues.
- Producing tutorial videos for the public on building science and construction techniques.
- Participating in hands-on projects (construction, maintenance, inspection and installation of building and mechanical systems).
Collaborating with researchers on innovative approaches to building and engineering problems.
Ryan’s experience with facility maintenance (e.g., project design, construction, and maintenance at Raven Landing Retirement Community of Fairbanks) informs his building philosophy. As a private contractor for the Bureau of Land Management, he designed and prefabricated several structures that were transported by plane and then constructed and finished onsite at a remote arctic field camp. He’s a long-standing consultant on Alaskan-based work on biomaterials for packaging and insulation, and his outreach and collaborations include design and construction of pieces for several art exhibits.
In summer 2024, Ryan harvested Yukon River driftwood and built and floated log rafts (pics coming!) to be milled by our collaborator in Galena, highlighting the potential of the new Alaska Local Lumber Exemption, which passed the AK legislature in 2023 (more info).
Ryan is also designing Adaptable Prototype 4, which will be a componentized and standardized kit-of-parts residential building solution out of local lumber products.
Stacey Fritz, PhD, is a longtime Fairbanks resident and an applied anthropologist of arctic infrastructure. Previously with the Cold Climate Housing Research Center and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Alaska Campus, Stacey now manages Alaska Adaptable Housing and works to advance sustainable housing for northern residents. Stacey conducts housing security research, infuses social science insights into Ryan’s innovative building projects, and helps navigate remote Arctic logistic challenges. She is experienced in facilitating tribal consultation, outreach to communities, sociocultural impact and environmental justice analyses, and mitigating impacts of industrial development. Her doctoral thesis at the University of Alaska Fairbanks traced the legacies of the DEW Line in the western Arctic, she spent a decade working in public land management in the Arctic, and she contributes to articles and other publications.
Jessica McKay is a builder of projects, ideas, communities, and solutions tailored to Alaska’s unique challenges. As a lifelong Alaskan and the sole proprietor of Alaska Adaptable Solutions, she is a core member of the Adaptable team, specializing in cold regions and remote logistics. Living and working in rural Alaska, she understands firsthand the complexities of construction in extreme environments.
With a BSE in Mechanical Engineering, Jessica works as a Process Engineer and Construction Project Manager, currently at CCHRC, bringing expertise in process improvement, construction management, and building science. Whether streamlining medical manufacturing, managing aquaculture infrastructure, or overseeing public works for rural governments, she is passionate about delivering efficient, durable, and sustainable solutions.
Jessica’s approach to project management is hands-on and solutions-driven. She believes in more than just oversight—she gets into the field, working alongside contractors and engineers to troubleshoot challenges firsthand. Her strong visualization skills allow her to identify potential design and procurement issues early, preventing costly change orders and delays.
Jessica is currently pursuing a master’s in Infrastructure Engineering and Materials Science at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where she is researching alternative concrete materials derived from mariculture products. Her goal is to pioneer resilient, sustainable housing infrastructure—built for Alaska, by Alaskans.
Daniel Fritz has joined Alaska Adaptable Housing as a pro bono consultant.
With a robust background in engineering management and blockchain technology, Dan is excited about contributing to the innovative Adaptable platform and its mission of providing sustainable and customizable housing solutions.
Dan has managed supply chain IT projects, driving blockchain PoCs and other innovative solutions. His technical skills in evaluating and setting standards for supply chain domains, combined with hands-on experience in technology evaluation and selection, will support Adaptable’s focus on energy-efficient, system-built housing solutions.
As Executive Director at PharmaLedger Association, Dan led complex initiatives, managing cross-functional teams and driving a €22 million project involving multiple pharma companies and public partners. His role in establishing legal governance and collaboration frameworks aligns well with Adaptable’s community-led building initiatives and regional collaboration efforts.
As Industry Project Leader for the PharmaLedger Consortium, Dan implemented blockchain solutions to enhance project transparency and security, engaging with regulatory authorities and standards organizations. His expertise in blockchain technology will support Alaska Adaptable Housing’s goal of leveraging standardized building systems and local resources.
Dan’s academic background, including a Bachelor’s in Engineering Management from West Point and an Executive MBA from Duke Fuqua and Goethe Business School, has provided him with a strong foundation in engineering principles, business strategy, and leadership.